Joy to the World

"Christmas everywhere all at once."

Writer: Steven Moffat

Format: TV

Broadcast: 25 December 2024

Series: 2024 Christmas Special

Featuring: Fifteenth Doctor

Synopsis

When Joy opens a secret doorway to the Time Hotel, she discovers danger, dinosaurs and the Doctor. But a deadly plan is unfolding across the Earth, just in time for Christmas.

Verdict 

Joy to the World was a great Christmas Special! It's such a delight to be getting another festive episode following on from the series return at this time of year with The Church on Ruby Road last year, and whilst this episode was more of a standalone it was still a magnificent watch! I think the loose continuity was just about enough to have it as part of the ongoing two series run from Disney+ with the Doctor reflecting on not having companion Ruby around and her also seeing the star that Joy would become. That was neat and whilst Joy got the title billing with Nicola Coughlan in the role and the character taking part of the title, I thought it was actually Anita that stole the show! Her relationship built with the Doctor was fantastic and I loved how he just took the long way around. Of course, the whole intention was for him to be able to save Joy but how could he not have strong feelings for somebody he shared chair night with? That was actually really emotional and I enjoyed it a lot. Big Finish should absolutely have some strange goings on at the Sandringham across this year for their future Fifteenth Doctor Adventures! The main concept of the story centring on the Time Hotel was fascinating and I really like the idea. It feels perfect for Doctor Who and the Doctor himself being impressed by it was very good. His interactions with Trev were very humorous and I thought it was actually quite sweet that his consciousness came good on not letting the Doctor down when within the star itself. The whole concept of the star as a means of energy source was good and Villengard being behind it is good continuity, although I did think having a corporation as the big bad was slightly a let down. Not massively, but I just felt it would have been good for the Doctor to confront someone instead. A full on villain. I still liked it though and it works well that the Doctor has history with them, even as recently as Boom. I thought the Time Hotel showing numerous points in human history was pretty impressive and seeing all of the different entry points from a stone door to a tent on Everest was terrific. I thought it was a fun gag to play on hotel rooms having a mysterious locked door, although I must say as something of a budget traveller I can't recall too many rooms having that! And as for Joy's room being sad and reflecting on her personality, well I must say I thought it looked really impressive! I would not at all be disappointed to be staying in a hotel room like so I'm not sure what that says about me. Joy retorting to the Doctor at the fact he'd spent a year there was a nice touch and I was impressed with how she was literally able to shine at the end. The dinosaur use was quite fun but the emotion sparked by the Doctor before it in angering Joy as she revealed the horrible circumstances in which her mother passed was excellent. I obviously knew what was happening right away but I wasn't expecting the Tory parties to get referenced! That was good fun. Not so keen on the Doctor mocking the name Joy even if it was to rile her up, but he brought it back around at the end in realising of course why she would be named as such. I thought the ending was fine but not perhaps as climactic as I was hoping for. The train sequence wasn't bad but just felt a bit lacking in substance to reach the briefcase after millions of years simmering to create the star, but then with Joy it would just become one with her and detonate away from life. I liked that we got to see Joy's mum though and reunite them amongst the stars, and that actually sparked my partner into tears! She loved this episode and gave it a perfect score which surprised me but I'm glad to share these moments with her. We have our second baby's due date tomorrow so it's an emotional time in our household after a crazy Christmas with our three-year-old! He's still a little young for the programme at the minute, but he did take a little interest in the Proms yesterday! Maybe next year. But for now, a great festive special! I look forward to what's to come after that sneak peak. 

Rating: 8/10